On 17 November 2024, the news website 902.gr reported allegations concerning arbitrary police stops and identity checks in the streets surrounding the Polytechnic University in Athens, during the escalation of protests commemorating the anniversary of the 1973 Polytechnic uprising. According to the coverage, police carried out identity checks on hundreds of young people and students in the city centre and nearby areas, and reportedly detained individuals without clear justification. Among those detained were said to be members of the Communist Youth of Greece. The report suggested that these actions may have been intended to discourage public participation in the commemorative march.
Under the rule of law, the actions and operations of police authorities must be governed by certain principles, including the principle of legality, the principle of proportionality, the prohibition of abuse of police power, and the respect for and protection of human rights. The powers of police authorities and the conduct they must observe in the exercise of their duties are regulated, among others, by Presidential Decrees 538/1989, 141/1991, and 254/2004.
Although the police may resort to the use of force in order to enforce the law and protect human rights, this does not mean that all use of preventive or repressive force is lawful. On the contrary, the arbitrary use of force and police action that exceeds legal limits constitutes a dangerous phenomenon for a democracy.
Moreover, police conduct must safeguard—not obstruct or undermine—the unhindered exercise of the right of assembly, which is enshrined in Article 11 of the Constitution:
“Greeks shall have the right to assemble peaceably and unarmed.” (Article 11(1)) “The police may be present only at outdoor public assemblies. Outdoor assemblies may be prohibited by a reasoned police authority decision, in general if a serious threat to public security is imminent, and in a specific area, if a serious disturbance of social and economic life is threatened, as specified by law.” (Article 11(2))
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